In a recent interview with the BBC, Lil Nas X expressed both happiness for Beyoncé and Shaboozey’s success in country music and a sense of frustration over his own experience with the genre. Reflecting on when Billboard removed his debut single, “Old Town Road,” from the Hot Country Songs chart, Lil Nas X lamented, “I wish this would have happened for me. I wasn’t even able to experience this.”
Beyoncé made history as the first Black woman to top the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with “Texas Hold ‘Em,” followed by Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which held the top spot for 10 weeks. Despite “Old Town Road” breaking records on the Billboard Hot 100, Lil Nas X has largely distanced himself from country music since the controversy surrounding its removal from the country chart.
While Lil Nas X admitted to experimenting with country sounds in recent years, he emphasized the importance of feeling a genuine connection to the music, stating, “I want to feel connected to it and not force it.” He previously defended “Old Town Road” as a fusion of country and trap genres, challenging the notion that its removal from the country chart was racially motivated.
Acknowledging the resistance faced by innovative music styles throughout history, Lil Nas X declined to take sole credit for the emergence of country trap, citing Young Thug as a significant pioneer in the genre. Despite the challenges, Lil Nas X remains determined to create music that authentically reflects his artistic vision and resonates with listeners across genres.